Thursday, January 21, 2010

The Ghana team has recently reunited after spending time with family and friends during Winter break and it was evident we are all ready to get down to the "nitty gritty" design aspect of our project! After meeting our new professor, Dr. John Burgin PhD PE (He has an expertise in environmental and water resources engineering!), our team feels confident that the second component of Projects in Underserved Communites will teach us more than we'd ever expected. I'm sure we all had an idea that we would be doing hands on engineering work, but after hearing the well-developed course outline that Dr. Burgin devised, we realized he would be teaching us invaluable information to use in our future careers. After we complete the design portion of the PUC class we will have learned how to:

-Estimate Water Demand-Perform Water Quality Tests-Develop the Hydraulic Design for Wells, Pumps, Pipes, Tanks and Fittings-Develop the Hydraulic Design for a Cistern System-Develop the Hydraulic Design for a Rudimentary Wastewater System-Plan and Schedule the Construction of a Small Water Project

Even my "MacGyver" dad was amazed when I told him how I would be able to understand the workings of a water system, and asked if I would help him with the river water pump and piping used in my back yard for our sprinkler system! We also learned we will be getting hands-on experience prior to making our trips, by doing lab-practicals to go see and learn about the supplies we will be working with! Our fundraising efforts have not dissipated and the pull for raising the money to fund all of our hard work will be a big issue this semester. So, remember you can help our cause by donating: money, miles and technical support!

Thanks to everyone that has helped us get this far!

Money donations can be made online at:

https://utdirect.utexas.edu/nlogon/vip/ogp.WBX?menu=ENIE&source=PUC

Or send checks to:

Dean ClementDevelopment AssociateThe University of Texas at AustinCockrell School of Engineering1 University Station C2100Austin, TX 78712

Please make all checks payable toThe University of Texasnoting PUC in the memo line.